This book helps students to understand American politics by guiding them through the different institutions of American government. It covers the electoral and party systems, the separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, and the division of powers between the federal government and the states.
This book introduces readers to the concepts of political philosophy - authority, democracy, freedom and its limits, justice, feminism, multiculturalism, and nationality. Accessibly written and assuming no previous knowledge of the subject, it encourages the reader to think clearly and critically about the leading political questions of our time.
Contains 140 helpful readings covering the debates in the Western political tradition and presents samples of the political ideologies. Issues discussed in this title include: the role of human nature in determining social arrangements; the political significance of gender differences; the justification for the powers of the state; and more.
Discusses the development of politics from the ancient world to the twentieth century. The author prompts the reader to consider why political systems evolve, how politics offers both power and order in the society, whether democracy is always a good thing, and what future politics may have in the twenty-first century.